Baby walker



June 27, 1944. w o z 2,352,450

. BABY WALKER Fild June 12, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l i 02. F AA I 3X :3 INVENTOR.

H I William H. Rein/10! ATTORNEY.

June 27, 1944.. w RE|NHOL Z I I 2,352,450

BABY WALKER Filed June 12, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

William H. Pe/nho DQF'ML ATTORNEY.

June 27, 1944. w R o z 2,352,450

BABY WALKER Filed June 12, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 HQVENTOR; By William H Rein/70b 7W .-\TTORNEY.

Patented June 27, 1944 kia 1' William H. Reinholz, r onaeq eiemv ApplicationlJune 1-2, mug-serial" .-340 ,o84;- 9Claims. (oristgzfef The object ofthis invention is to provide a babyplwalker having; a chair or seat in which the child can sit; which allows the baby-to ,standor walk'in safety, and thechair or seat is supported for movement in a path which is, restricted to-arcircle'by'means f a floor anchor: 7 H

Another object of theinvention is to provide a baby' walker oi the character above described, which embodies a floor anchor that has sufiicient weight to hold itself in place on the floor and-provide a fixed axis about which the chair or. seat is movable; and by reason of its weight it holds itself; in one place and eliminates the eed o a t n nsr ela hqrrt t r t e Q-DD -v v, Another object of my invention is-to provide a babywalker which is strongand light weight and simply-constructed; and of 'lowcost to manufeature and can ,be, easily collapsed or knocked down forthe purpose of packing-or shipment. I Another object of the invention is to provide a baby walker, that is attached to the floor vanchor'by; arms that-can bel readily detached from the floor anchor and folded against the body of the {baby walker. l V v nnother -objectof the invention to provide the floor anchor vwith a. bail by which it can be carried easily from place to place, and also with a rubber or nonslip base to keep floor anchor in one placerv v. I V q other job ject of the invention is to provide aj baby walkerlwith'a removable fabric seat and backg forthe purpose. of laundering. I- AnQtherobJeCtof the invention is to provide a baby walker havingtwo side members which ar fastenedtogether by U-shaped members. w 7,

i'jhnother objectofth'einvention is to'provide a baby; ,alker' which the baby cannot tip over ese and other obj ects of the invention will be shown in the drawings; described in the 'speci-' seamen andpointed out in the claims.

i Inf'the' drawings'z' I Figure Us a top plan'view 'ofmy' improved baby walken'fl I I "Fig'ure2fis a front elevation of the baby walker shownjin Figure 1;; I v j Figure} 1 is a section entire line ism-3320f Figtire '2; looking to the right-th fabric seat being rem v d? 1" M 'f v 'l igjii're ijisa detail view of the U-shaped'frame supports two'sidesfand'front of thefabric ,j Edie/51s a perspectiveyiew of a modified torm'c'f the baby walker,

wFigu-re -5a shows a cross section of the channel 0 f hQ 'i Q:-5 -r. otF-i Y ,t v Eig; 1 1r 6 is anen larged; detail; view of the U- shaped frame thatsupports two sides and'front of the fabrics seat, with the supports therefor partly broken away, the frame andsupports beinea sed tyfrcm el n Figure Eignre J K-r18 3; sectioha1; 'view through the anchor -jonemalf of "par-t ofmthe anchor being m t e the. pa s in en a e P "F u e w8;--isawperspectiveview of the frame of; the Ebaby walker ..partly broken away and showing a (U -shaped: frame that isa modified form of thatshown inFigu're'G, I

Figure 9 is a perspective .viewflof a modified form r frame for abet-Simmer. i1 a Figuretlfl is (a detail .view of as joint .in the frame, the sts: the frame i being broken away. 'Eigureul l is awdetailviewofportion of the upright frame-and theU-Shaped. frame that connects therewith, thelparts being .held together in oneadirection by a thhrhbnutQ, I

. '-;Figure l2 isa sectional viewo'fthef'baby walker corresponding to Figure 3, but showing a modified ,form oi the side frame andparts associated therewith. e v, t Eig-ure :13 is" a section qn the line I3a:|3x of Figure-12. V v,: Q-In -the drawings cateilike-parts; M I l v I 1 zvIn: the ,drawings ref re ce numeral indicates one; upright side membfilifl theQbaby-goqound and 2=j:indicates the "other upright side member. Fastened to; thegrtcpg of -;each side ;member is a horizontal rail :3 :andi:4.,;;At the forward lower end a U-sha1:ved member= 5;is ,provided, th short parallelhorizontalmends o hich-engage in the horizontal socketsv li-gand l.wi A- similar U -shaped member ca isxprovideiicat the; back, the short sides zofawhic'huenga'gexin zsocketst'il. and; 10' on the sidefameinb'erss i By. these; U -shaped members 5 $8 the side membersgare held. suitably spaced apart at ithe bottom; The intermediate parts of rthes' U-sshaped 'JnemberSFaLe': preferably covered withirubber-ftubing solithat- -they can serve as ibumpersplltThel soc'ketsfisand 5i are formed of a single: plate .I' l:, the, intermediate :part of which i'sibeii't to form amuprights socketrlfi I which holds'the stemof th'e caster l3 and is swiv eled therein. Thisisflalso' true; of the plate M, in which the sockets l9 andtl'l'iVarefiformed; One off h'e's plates" with the three sockets :therein 7 is i" V each-lower corner of the:baby-.goeround,. and alt-"each of these lower corr'iers the caster wheel like reference numerals indiis swiveled therein, four caster wheels being provided on the baby-go-round.

The horizontal rails 3 and 4 are perforated with holes as indicated at |5 at the back and H3 at the front. The holes |5 are inclined, for a purpose that will presently be described, and the holes H; are upright. Through the holes I5 is inserted a U-shaped frame H, which frame extends through sockets formed in the plates l8 and I9, which plates, are riveted to the .side members for the purpose of completing the sockets and holding the plates in place. At the lower end of the socket in the plate |8 the metal is spun inwardly to form a flange or bottom to limit the downward movement of the member through the holes H5 in the rails and the ends of which engage in the sockets in the plate 7 As shown in Figure 3, the U'-shaped member ll is held in upright inclined position and the U-shaped member 2| is held inan upright vertical position. I

In Figure 4 I have shown the U-shaped member 22- which is supported from the sides I and 2, and which in turn supports three sides of the fabric seat member.- This member is supported by two cleats orbracket's 23 and-24 on each'of the side members and 2. The ends of the U- shaped member 22 taper toward each other and must be sprung out to engage with the cleat 23, and the ends of the side members are bent down as indicated at 25 to holdthe'member 22 positively in its proper position.

The sides of the member 22 are bowed 'inwardly, as indicated at 26 'to, pass around the upright sides of the U-shaped member 2|,-and they are also bowed down and inwardly at 21 to form suitable supports and sockets for the ends of the cross bar 28, on which the forward end of the fabric'of the seat is supported.

. The fabric ofthe seathas'a sleeve on each sidethereof which engages with the sides of the member 22. It hasa sleeve formed at the front which engages over the cross bar 28' and the fabric extends forward and has another sleeve formed on the end thereof that-engages overthe intermediate part of the U-shaped member 22. The fabric between the bar 28 and the intermediate part-of 'the Ill-shaped member 22 forms a tray inwhich the babys food or toys can be held. At the back thefabric is formed with a pocket 30, which engages over the U- shaped member by which engagement. the rear portion ofthe seat is supported.

Inside of the member 2 is attached four plates, 3|, 3| having sockets therein in which are mounted to swing the upright members 1 32 of the radial arms 33. These upright members are turned over at the. top so thatthey will remain engaged with and be supported by the top sockets 3|. The arms 33 are-free to swing to the position shown in Figure 1, or they can be folded against the side member 2.- Theouterendsof the arms 33 are bent down and then out, so as to form a suitable engagement with the undercut socket 34 in the floor anchor 35, in which they can swing freely as the wheeled chairwcirculates around the floor anchor. i

As shown in Figure 7, this floor anchor is preferably made with. a metal socket or housing, which is surrounded by a disc of concrete 35a. On the bottom of this disc. is a plate 36 of rubber, which has more or less adhesion to the floor that will hold it from sliding on the floor. On the floor anchor is provided a bail 31, by which the floor anchor can be easily lifted and moved from place to place. The arms 33 are engaged with the floor anchor by tilting either the babygo-round or the floor anchor, and when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 1 the upright members 32 with their positive engagement in the side member 2 holds the baby-goround from tipping over sideways. The babygo-round and its floor anchor described above is substantially the same as that shown in Fig- L on Jan. 19, 1943, to which reference is made.

provided, the sides of which extenddown On the U-shaped member 2| a cross bar 38 is supported on which beads and bells 39 can be mounted to slide and swing.

In Figure 5 I have shown a modification of this structure in which is provided the side bars 40, 4| to the ends of which are fastened the 0- shaped members 42, 43, which members are channel-shaped in cross-section, as shown in Figure 5a.

The bar 40 and the C-shaped member 42 constitutes one side member of this form of babygo -round, and the bar 4| and the O-shaped member43 constitutes theother'side member ob-this form of baby-go-round. These side members are held together at the front byaU- shaped member 44, and at the back by a U- shaped member 45, which members arethesame as the'members 5 and-8 shown in'Figure 1. The sides of each of these U shaped members 44 and 45 pass through holes in the C-shaped members 42 and 43 and positively engage in suitable sockets provided in the ends 'of the bars 40 and 4|; 'In this way the two sidemembers are held together and spaced apart at the front'and back. Each of the C-shaped members are perforated near the-top as'indicated at 46 and, and the bars 40 and 4| are also provided with inclined socketsin line with such perforations. 'The U- shaped member 48, corresponding to the member' 2| in Figure -3, is inserted through'theholes 46 and engages with the inclined sockets-43 in the bars "40 and 4|. TheU-shaped member 50, corresponding to' the U-shaped member passes through holes in theO-shaped members and engages with the inclined sockets 5| the bars 40 and "4|. In this way'the two side members are suitably spaced apart and heldtogether at the .top by the 'U-shaped membersj48, and 50. v Between the upper portions of the C-shaped members the U-shaped frame 52 is supported, the sides .of which engage positviely in and are supported by the channels of the C-shaped' members, and the'intermediate part of which' forms a cross bar'that extends across betweenjthe two c-shaped members. Shoulders 52aj and 52 b; are formed or bent on the sides of the fra'mef52 for engagement with the edges of the channels, The sides of the frame 52 normally stand in the dotted line positions shown in Figure 6,, a'n'dj'to be engaged with the channels inthelcshaped' members 42 and 43 they must be spreadyout'or sprung to the full line position shown in" Figure 6, after which they can be forcedinto' engagement with the" channels, with whichthey will positively engage. The fabric seat is provided with a sleeve at the front and on the-two sides, which engage with andissupported by the 9-.

shape'dframe '52. The'rear'of the fabric seat-is form'ed'with a pocket, which engages overthe upper end of the U-shaped member-50, similar to theariahgeinent shown in Figures 1 and 2.-

Across bar 54 is provided on which bells and beads may be hung; Arms 33a are provided with an eye on the end thereof. 'Screws*pass through these eyes up into-the bar 40, on'which screws the arms 33a can swing. The outer ends ofthe arms 33a are bent down and out as shown in Figure '7 toengage the anchor 35.

"In Figure 8" I have provided a U-shaped frame 68 which is a modification of that shown in Figure 6, in which the frame is formed on one piece of wire and is bent'to form eyes BI, 62, 83, and 5.4 at the four cornersthereof', which eyes engage the U-shaped members 48 and 50, it being understood that the U-shaped members '50 and 48 passt hrough these eyes and then into the side frame, just as they do in Figure 5.

' In" Figure 9 I have shown a modification of, the frame ofthe baby-go-round in which the frame comprises the forward U-shaped member '18 andtheback U-shaped member H both of which are bent to shape shown in Figure9. These members are formed of pipe or tubes andwher'e the members come together as indicated at 72-12 the pipes are flattened and are perforated, and are held together by bolts 13, The frames 18 and H are also perforated to receive the U-shaped member 14 which passes through them and connects them. The rear ends of the member 14 are threaded and are held in place by the thumb nut 15. The U-shaped member 14 is used to support two sides and the front of the fabric seat and the back of the fabric seat is supported by frame 1 I. Four caster wheels and their sockets are inserted in the lower ends of the members l0 and H. Anchor arms 33b are provided which arms have eyes at one end thereof and engaged on one side of the frame, the other end of these arms engaging in the anchor shown in Figure 7.

In Figure 12 I have shown another modification of the baby-go-round in which each of the side members 88 are stamped out of a single metal sheet, the outer edge of which is spun over to form a flange BI and at suitable places sockets 82, 83, 84 and 85 are formed to receive the U- shaped members Fla and Ma and sockets 86 and 81 are formed to receive the arms 33. Upright sockets are also formed to receive the stems of the casters and the bottom flange is also perforated to receive the stems of the casters. Sockets 88 and 89 are formed to receive the ends of the U-shaped members of 5 and 8, and the flange 8| is perforated to permit the U-shaped members 5, 8, Ila and Zia to pass through for the purpose of engaging with the sockets. A U-shaped frame 60a is provided with eyes at the corners thereof which is substantially the same as in the frame 68 shown in Figure 8. This frame has eyes at the corners thereof which rest on top of the sockets 82 and 84 and through which pass the U- shaped members Ha and 21a. The fabric seat is held by the U-shaped frame 60a and the U- shaped member ITa substantially as is shown in Figure 8.

I claim:

1. In a vehicle of the character described, the combination of two upright frame members suitably spaced apart, horizontal sockets in each end of said upright members near the bottom thereof, a U-shaped member engaging with said sockets in the upright members both from the front 7 and theback for the purpose-of holding them together and suitably spaced "a pa1-t,: .i1prigl-it sockets provided in the upright "members at the top and bottomthereof, a U'-shaped member{en= gaging insa id sockets of the" upright members for holding them together and suitably spaced apart. I

2. A baby walker of thebharacte'r' 'es'c'ribed; comprising two sideframes' each haV-in'g' hQri zontal sockets at the front and -backj thereof near the bottom and arranged in pairsfi each ofsaid frames having an upright socket'ftherein; a'U-shaped member at the'front eng'agi-ng one pair of the-lower horizontal sockets; "-and' a -U- shaped member at the back engaging the other pair of the lower horizontal sockets, and'ah up: right U-shaped' member engagingthe upright sockets in the twoframes, said U-shap'e'd-memably spaced apart. i v

' 3. In a vehicle of the character described; the

bers holding the side frames togetherfah dsuitcombination of: .a'pair of uprightlvdisposed, Y

horizontally spaced side frame'members a horizontally disposed cross bar connecting the lower front portions of said side frame m'embe'rsand projecting forwardly in advance thereof; a hori zontally disposed cross bar connectingthe lower rear portions ofsaid side frame members-and projecting to the rear thereof; a cross bar connecting the upper portions of said side frame members; a childs seat carried by and between said side frame members, the space between said side frame members, floor, seat, and lower cross bars being free and unobstructed; supporting wheels carried by each of said side frame mem bers at the forward and rear ends, respectively,

thereof; a pair of links, one of said links being right side members suitably connected by cross bars at the bottom at both the front and the back and by a cross bar at the top, wheels supporting said frame, links connected to one side of said frame, wheels under said frame both at the forward end and at the rear end, one of said links being connected with the frame near the forward wheel on one side and the other of said links being connected with the frame near the rear wheel on the same side, a floor anchor having an upright hole therein, said links converg ing to and engaging with the hole in said floor anchor, the links being mounted so that they can be detached from the floor anchor and being pivotally connected to the frame on one side so they can be folded against that side.

5. A vehicle of the character described, comprising a frame, said frame comprising two upright side members suitably connected by cross bars at the bottom at both the front and the back and by a cross bar at the top, wheels supporting said frame, links connected to one side of said frame, wheels under said frame both at the forward end and at the rear end, one of said links being connected with the frame near the forward wheel on one side and the other of said links being connected with the frame near the rear wheel on the same side, a floor anchor having an upright hole therein, said links converging to and engaging with the hole in said floor anchor, said hole in. the floorg'anchor being undercut the ends of, said links ,being bent down and out to p t l e age in s u. .r .ut .-h0 e ndrotatetherein. I 6. In combination: a wheeled baby walkeria mova l floo an having an; u wardl ope ing, cen t rally disposed socket formed therein; and a n m pr e in r m=Q de 0 said walkerand having its outer ,end projecting downwardly into said socket to form a readily disengageable connection therewith and adapted when connected to said anchor to limit the movement of; said baby walker to a oircularpath about said anchor as a center, said link means being retractable to a nonprojecting position on the walker .andsecurable in said position. i

7. Theombination defined, in claim 6 in which said anchor is provided with a friction base and w a bail pivotally connected to said fioor anchor above the center of gravity thereof. 7

' 8. In ababy walker, the combination ofz lla pair ,of parallel, upright, horizontally spaced side members; caster wheelmeans supporting each o f -sai d side members; a horizontally disposed cross bar connecting ina readily disengageable manner the lower forwardh-portions-iof' said side members a horizontally disposed cross bar connecting in a n readily -disengageable manner the rear; lower portions oi said side members; a cross frame means c onnectingina readily disengageable manner the npper portions of said side members} a iabric seat suitably mounted on said frame rneans, the space between said side members; saidirame structure, said horizontal cross bars and the ifioorl'bemg'f iree and unobstructed and. said cross bars being longitudinally spaced to accommodate thewalkihg movements of the legs of a child'se'ated in the fabric seati and means for readily disengageably connecting one of said side members to a floor anchor for limiting movement oi the walker in'a circular path about the floor anchor, I I

[9. In a baby walker, the combinationofz' two parallel upright" panels of sheet metalf socket means having their axes'parallel to the planes of said panels and formedbybeing stamped there in; a plurality of U-sh'aped cross members; each having across bar and end legs normally dis, posed to said crossbar, said U-shaped members and. socket means being adapted for engagement to hold said panels in parallel spaced relation ship; a seat carried between said panels; and wheeled means for supporting said panels.

' WILLIAM H. REINHOLZ. 

